H380 — An Act establishing the social work licensure compact in Massachusetts

Summary

An Act establishing the social work licensure compact in Massachusetts

Bill Text

• Full text Current

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This bill establishes a Social Work Licensure Compact to facilitate the interstate practice of regulated social workers and improve access to social work services.

• Chapter 112

  Section 137A. Social Work Licensure Compact Section 1. The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of regulated social workers by improving public access to competent social work services. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: (a) increase public access to social work services; (b) reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with holding multiple licenses; (c) enhance the member states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety; (d) encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate practice; (e) promote mobility and address workforce shortages by eliminating the necessity for licenses in multiple states by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses; (f) support military families; (g) facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary information among member states; (h) authorize all member states to hold a regulated social worker accountable for abiding by a member state’s laws, regulations, and applicable professional standards in the member state in which the client is located at the time care is rendered; and (i) allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate increased access to regulated social work services.

  This addition creates a framework for regulating social work across state lines.

• Chapter 112

  Section 2. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words shall have the following meanings: ... (r) “Multistate license”, a license to practice as a regulated social worker issued by a home state licensing authority that authorizes the regulated social worker to practice in all member states under multistate authorization to practice.

  This establishes definitions crucial for the functioning of the Social Work Licensure Compact.

• Chapter 112

  Section 3. (a) To be eligible to participate in the compact, a potential member state must currently meet all of the following criteria: ... (2) require applicants for licensure to graduate from a program that is: (i) operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing authority; ...

  This section outlines the criteria for states to join the compact, ensuring uniform standards.

• Chapter 112

  Section 4. (a) To be eligible for a multistate license under the terms and provisions of the compact, an applicant, regardless of category must: ... (c) A member state meeting the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of section (3) of this compact shall designate the categories of social work licensure that are eligible for issuance of a multistate license for applicants in such member state.

  This section details the eligibility requirements for applicants seeking a multistate license.

Sponsors

• Kenneth I. Gordon · Primary

Subjects